I am in my cave. Crouched in a corner, my body aches from months of disuse being shocked to life at the local Young Men's Christian Association. My body aches as my essence yearns to break free from the shackles of my own mind, my personally-programmed prison. And I know why the caged bird sings.
The few who dared to enter left just as quickly. Only a few linger in curiosity. Perhaps I don't even see them. Still my body aches and my eyes have opened. I feel the mind being unlocked by the body as the neural chains are pulled by dehydrated muscles. Gatorade and potassium-rich bananas help release my mind. My support group is here. ¡Gracias mis amores! I remember now what I have to do: Heal the world, starting with the man in the mirror (thanks MJ!).
Yes, I am waking up again. The imagined burdens of medical school applications, job responsibilities, and other societal pressures become lighter as I take off the Past- and Future-tinted lenses that have captured my mind from the Present. Thanks to weight-lifting and soccer. No. Thanks to my brothers and sisters who support me; who stood by unnoticed as I crouched in my cave. I knew you were there all along.
